The House of Representatives has formally voted to impeach Donald Trump in a historic vote.
What We Know:
- There were votes on two major issues. The vote was 230 to 197 to 1 on the article of impeachment for ‘abuse of power’ and 229 to 198 to 1 on the article of impeachment for ‘obstructing Congress.’
- The abuse of power charge is a result of Trump enlisting a foreign government, Ukraine, to investigate Joe Biden ahead of the 2020 election. The obstruction charge is for obstruction and a lack of cooperation during the investigation into the abuse of power.
- House Democrats must now prove in a Senate trial why Trump should be removed from office. A vote of two-thirds is necessary for conviction and subsequent removal from office.
- In order for Trump to be disqualified from re-election in 2020, the Senate must vote separately to prevent him from holding a federal office in the future.
- This vote makes Trump the only first-term President to be impeached. He is the third to get impeached in America’s 243-year history after Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton. Both were acquitted in the Senate.
- Due to the Senate having a majority Republican rule, Trump is expected to be the third president acquitted after impeachment. That is if Nancy Pelosi decides to ever file the articles of impeachment in the Senate.
- Pelosi and House Dems have been weighing the option of withholding the articles of impeachment. There are certain pros and cons to this depending on who you ask. Pelosi has stated the least that is needed however is for the Senate to come to an agreement on rules for the trial.
We will continue to follow updates as they are released regarding the Senate trial and any other actions. You can view the vote below.
